Transiting JFK en route overseas?

[mabillon]

It's been a long time since my routing overseas including a domestic layover!  Does anyone happen to know if there's any luggage retrieval and re-check is required at JFK if you are transiting from a domestic airport en route to an overseas location?

To be a bit more specific, I'd be going DCA -> JFK -> HKG and am obviously hoping to avoid luggage transit but if that's not possible, make sure I have enough transit time built in since we'll be with the kids.

[GilliC]

If your bags are checked all the way through, then no, you'd only have to collect and recheck on an inbound trip, after customs clearance.

Which airlines are you flying? I flew IND-JFK-LHR in Feb, and while I didn't have to deal with luggage, my first flight was an AA codeshare flight booked through BA, and I couldn't even check in for my onward BA flight until I reached JFK! The additional check-in combined with a round-the-world terminal change, it took longer than luggage recheck probably would have. Not a fan.

[mabillon]

I'd be on an AA plane (commuter) then switching to Cathay at JFK via the codeshare.

[mabillon]

My other option is dca to dfw to hkg but the schedule isn't as great. Maybe worth is to avoid JFK? I've flown domestic through dfw quite a bit...

[Muddled]

You will only have to re-check on the way back after going through customs. As long as your flights are codeshare, they should be able to check your bags all the way through.

[rupertpenny]

You don't have to recheck but you do have to go through security gain of you change terminals I believe.

You made the right choice of flight. I've done JFK->HKG and DFW->HKG and the latter is so, so, so insanely and painfully long. Also service is better on CX vs AA.

[mdgirl]

What time of year will this be and how long is your layover? I've gotten screwed a few times with East Coast transfers, particularly in the summer when thunderstorms pop up in the evenings. Just for that reason alone I'd be tempted to go through Dallas. But if it means flying on Cathay vs. American and having a shorter flight I suppose I'd just give myself a lot of wiggle room and do that.

[mabillon]

Apr 2, 2015 20:38:36 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

You don't have to recheck but you do have to go through security gain of you change terminals I believe.

You made the right choice of flight. I've done JFK->HKG and DFW->HKG and the latter is so, so, so insanely and painfully long. Also service is better on CX vs AA.

Ooh - thanks for the first hand knowledge!  I actually didn't even know that the DFW option was on an AA plane, I'd definitely prefer Cathay.  HKG isn't our last stop either and we'll have another several hours from there so anything to minimize would be good!  Luckily, we're moving so it'll be a good while before we have to deal with flights home.  I think I'll need that time to recover.  

mdgirl - we have two flight options leaving DCA.  One is at 6am-ish and the other around 10am.  We originally were going to pick the 10am option (a more civilized hour) but DH convinced me that an empty airport at zero dark thirty will be so much easier with the kids and tons of luggage.  He's right but what a hassle to wake up!  Gives us plenty of time to avoid late thunderstorms and get rerouted if weather does delay us (it'll be August).  

[rupertpenny]

mabillon good luck with the move! Where are you headed?

When we did the JFK>HKG it was when we were moving to HK. I think taking the early flight out of DCA is probably a good idea even though I'm sure the thought of making the day any longer spud like torture.